Gosh, Ketus15, I just want to say thank you for how thoroughly and clearly you relayed the info from your vet, and how carefully you are taking care of your pig! Are you in the medical field? It sounds like your pig is in the hands of a great caretaker.

No, I don't have the T4 standards. Pinta or Joséphine might have them, though.

And I second what's been said. Get an x-ray to rule out stones because it could kill your pig if it moves and blocks the tubes. Make sure to get two different views because stones are sometimes hidden behind bones with just one view.

The vet wants to hold off on the thyroid tests until this bladder/kidney issue is sorted out. But I did tell him this morning that there are guinea pigs that have received a T4 assay and also a TSH.

I understand that surgery can remove bladder stones, but is there any treatment for kidney stones?

Also, I just found a mistake in my previous post. Kidney stone blocks ureter, Bladder stone blocks urethra. Sorry about that. Deuce could have either.

I'm a certified phlebotomist/medical lab assistant, and I have 3 years towards a biology degree, but I don't work in either field. Too much stress. Such as is happening now...

Thank you for saying I'm taking good care of Deuce. I feel tragically useless most days. I feel as though these past 3 weeks have been so long. I've just been diagnosed myself with mystically appearing hypertension and aggrevating headaches that sound like nothing my doctor has ever heard of.

Thank you to everyone for your time and attention. Your prompt and thoughtful replies provide so much support. Thank you.

Ok. X-rays first chance. Sounds like I should order some Critical Care and learn how to do SQ fluids. I'm good with needles, but at least when working on people, they understand why I have to hurt them. I don't think Deuce understands any of this. If it is kidney stones, he will get the best supportive care and pain relief until his last.

For Rachelle we did 5mg Lasix twice a day and twice daily 20cc subcues to counteract the Lasix.

T-4 measurements differ between Canada and the US. We tested two healthy pigs and got 15 and 23. Two suspected hyperthyroid pigs scored 44 and 30. The pig with 44 went down to 19 after going on Tapazole.

If you search, you may find US "normals" for T-4. Kara might have the numbers on file - I think I gave her numbers I got from Vicki of Jack Pine Guinea Pig Rescue.

A couple of notes. Our T-4 test required only a bit of blood from a toenail. Vicki's required quite a bit more(1cc from one pig.) Might be a different process in Canada.

<>>>>>>Serum is used for our T-4. The blood has to be spun down so the serum can be separated out.<<<<<<

Also re fluctuating levels. GPs are herbivores and eat constantly. T-4 tests are commonly done on cats(dogs?) Could your vet be basing his concern on experiences with animals that only eat once or twice a day?

From Vicki of JPGPR:Just got the T-4 results on Marly, she is 3.14. My vet was still a little hesitant to declare her abnormal, since dog and cat normal ranges are 1 to 4. But then she heard back from another vet who has dealt with a couple hyperthyroid pigs. He considers anything over 2 as too high for a cavy. That seems to mesh with the few normals we now have. The first vet she contacted had 2 normal pigs tested, their T-4 were in the 1 to 2 range. My boar Tweedy tested out at 1.82. The vet she talked with today had confirmed hyperthyroid on his cases, but did not follow up with treatment - the owners decided not to.

Ok, Deuce responed to the Lasix well for the first 3 days. He lost 50 grams (1175) and seemed quite comfortable. Then, since Saturday, he's creeped back up to 1220 grams.

We have a vet appointment tomorrow for x-rays and urinalysis. Also, we're taking his cage mate for the same thing. We can't tell who, but someone is crying in the middle of the night. When we get up to check who's in pain, they are both in their huts, quiet.

Any ideas why a pig with elevated Kidney enzymes and a great appetite would respond briefly to Lasix, then put the weight right back on? Hoping this does't suggest kidney failure...

X-Ray, 2 views: No Stones!! No signs of scurvy, arthritis, or infection (abscesses).

Urinalysis: Unable to perform because bladder was empty. (Peed on a tech., he'll show them)

Skin Biopsy: Three samples taken and to be sent to the Zoo and Exotics lab in Sacramento. Looking for allergy indicators or endocrine problems.

Could be Cushing's Disease. Also, it could still be a thyroid problem. I passed on the information Pinta provided, and he's also going to put Deuce's case on VIN to try and get some specialists opinions.

I would also like to add that Dr. C. performed the skin biopsy ($161) for free, and charged me only the $87 it takes to have the samples analyzed. He also said he will talk with a colleague about getting Deuce a free ultrasound to check out his adrenal glands. He has mentioned several times that he's never seen this in a guinea pig, and its a very unusual case. I think he wants to know as much as we do. He's a blessing. I also feel blessed that it is not kidney stones. I know they can be hidden on an x-ray, but he has not blood in his urine or discomfort urinating, so that possibility has gone to the bottom of the list. I was terribly afraid that all of that calcium rich parsley I had given him for the past 3 years did him in. Now, we just continue through to until we find out what's going on.

I hope you get some answers. It sure sounds like your vet is being thorough. I really would not worry about the parsley. Stones has a heavy genetic component. If he is not predisposed, the parsley likely only makes him happy and contented.

Ketus, I have a guinea pig that we suspect has adrenal tumors (a form of Cushings--there are two types--one is tumors on the pituitary gland, the other is adrenal tumors).

I was waiting for all of her lab results to come back before doing a thread, but I'll share a little here with you now and urge your vet to get in touch with my vet. It's Curt Nakamura at Adobe Animal Hospital in Los Altos, 650-948-9661. They can compare the various numbers they get on the tests.

We had the skin biopsy done a few weeks ago, along with several other serum and urine tests.

I've been thinking about the possibilities of allergies and reading about fleece.

If it is contact dermititis that's causing the ventral thickening of the skin, would using fleece to separate him from the CareFresh help? The vet seemed to think that Carefresh isn't an allergin, but that's the only thing Deuce's belly is in constant contact with.

Also, we then introduce the detergent I wash the fleece in to Deuce as a potential allergin. We use All Free and Clear because my Fiance is allergic to anything scented.

I don't want to change anything until we get a diagnosis, but on the other hand, switching to fleece is easy and cheap, and what if it works? It could save Deuce two more weeks of discomfort and illness.

Any thoughts? Becky, does your guinea pig have a thickening of the skin on his ventral side? Or is this just a strange symptom unique to Deuce?

As always, you are all much appreciated. Thank you.

Edit: I just re-read this. If Deuce has Cushings disease, fleece won't make him worse. If he has contact allergies, it may help. I guess that's a no change/win situation.